To start up a stove sputter
I reckon it's that stove matter you've come about. It's like those two fool trustees to start up a stove sputter in spring. It's a wonder they didn't leave it till dog-days and begin then.
This is from a short story by Lucy Montgomery.
What is a stove sputter? I suppose the two school trustees did something wrong with the stove sputter, but I can't figure it out.
Top answer
"A stove sputter" is apparently when you start up an old-fashioned wood or coal stove for room heating, rather than for cooking. In the spring there should be no need for room heating from a stove. Someone apparently complained about the stove being used for room heating on already warm spring days.
- "A stove sputter" is apparently when you start up an old-fashioned wood or coal stove for room heating, rather than for cooking.
- In the spring there should be no need for room heating from a stove.
- Someone apparently complained about the stove being used for room heating on already warm spring days.
- In the dog days (the middle of summer) there would be even less need for stove heating.
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"A stove sputter" is apparently when you start up an old-fashioned wood or coal stove for room heating, rather than for cooking. In the spring there should be no need for room heating from a stove. Someone apparently complained about the stove being used for room heating on already warm spring days. In the dog days (the middle of summer) there would be even less need for stove heating.
0I had to look it up. I don't remember seeing it before. The OED calls it "rare". It defines this "sputter" as an instance of fuss or clamour. The latest citation is from 1721. She is from Prince Edward Island, and perhaps it is not uncommon in that dialect.
She means that the trustees have begun to make a big fuss over some stove. I suppose spring is an inappropriate time f
0
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